Today was our first workshop of the trip at Swords Baptist. This is our third workshop that we've done for Rory McDonald and his worship team members. We focused on the role of the Holy Spirit in worship leading, both in the planning and "in the moment".
It's interesting that there was slim turnout, but it seemed that the Lord hand-picked who should be there. I think that given the subject matter, having the key people in the worship ministry (which is who showed up) was perfect, as we dealt mainly with the subject from the perspective of the one "in charge".
Rory and his wife Mindy have been such gracious hosts (did I already say this?) and we have been so blessed by their hospitality to put us up all this week and on through this coming Friday.
Yesterday we had a GEM Ireland meeting. It was good to see everyone again and get caught up with what's been going on and where things are heading. The surprise was that Tim Garrett was there. Who is Tim Garrett? He and his family lived in Greensburg, KS, (which is located 30 miles from my hometown, Pratt) when it was flattened by a Cat. 5 Tornado in May. We have been in contact with him and tried to work out meeting them when we were there in July. But instead we meet in Ireland. Weird.
We then had to drive to Laragh, out in the Wicklow mountains a ways south of the city, to set up our sound system for a symposium sponsored by the Evangelical Alliance Ireland. It was a nice drive. There we happened to meet a guy from out west that we had been in contact with and had been trying to get together with since January. We'll be having lunch with him and his wife in a fortnight (two weeks) in Adare, Co. Limerick.
Last night we watched our first Rugby match (on TV). Unfortunately France trounced Ireland in the run for the World Cup. Neither of us are big sports people, but I rather enjoyed it and realize also that to survive in Ireland, I've got to keep up with not only rugby, but football (soccer) and Gaelic Football as well. So last night was a good start.
Tomorrow we're off to Clondalkin on the west side of Dublin to New Life Christian Community Church. It should be a good day as we attend church in the morning, have lunch with the Carrolls (Michael and his wife Trish oversee the worship ministry) and then spend the afternoon with their daughter Rebecca who is leading worship for the second time tomorrow.
This week we have a whole slew of meetings slated, so it should prove to keep us busy.
On the philosophical side of things...
So far this trip has been about encouragement, both for us and through us. While we have had our share of unexpected... uh... surprises, shall we say... we have also been greatly encouraged by so many that we've met with. God is doing something and it's exciting to be a part of it. At the same time, we've been given many opportunities to be the encouragers.
Quite fun and challenging.
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